VERO BEACH — U.S. Army soldier Christopher “Chris” Leone Belcher, of Vero Beach, received full military honors with an escort after his body was flown home Friday and transported to a funeral home. Military veterans and personnel gathered at the Vero Beach Regional Airport to honor the life of Private First Class Belcher, who died unexpectedly while on duty in Germany earlier this month.
He was 34.
“Even though I didn’t know him, he was still a brother in arms. He served his country,” said Port St. Lucie resident Brendan Madayag, a retired U.S. Army specialist who watched the escort procession just outside the airport gate. “I believe it’s due diligence to pay your respects to those in the military and those who continue to sacrifice for their country.”…